"I still don''t get why we had to move to the middle of nowhere!".


    I carefully placed my Harry Potter book collection on the shelf.


    "It''s not the middle of nowhere - we''re still in California.", my brother Kai replied casually, settling onto the bed.


    "Kai, you''re not helping.", I groaned, moving to the window.


    Through the glass, I could see the forest stretching into our backyard. It wasn''t the Golden Gate Bridge, but I hoped the change of scenery might bring some peace.


    "Hey, you didn''t have to come with me," Kai said softly.


    I sighed, slumping into a chair. He was right. I could''ve stayed in San Francisco, but I couldn''t bear the thought of losing him too.


    "Do you think she''ll be okay? Without us? Without you?".


    "Lor... She has Aunt Amelia. She''ll be fine.".


    Our family had never been normal. Dad disappeared when Kai was ten and I was five. Mom blamed me for it - for everything, really. She hated me from the start, or so it seemed.


    "We''ve got an early start tomorrow.", Kai said, snapping me back to the present.


    "You''ve got an appointment at the hospital right after school. I''ll pick you up at 3 p.m. sharp. And don''t forget your pills.", he placed a small orange bottle on my nightstand.


    "Yeah, yeah.".


    "Lor, I''m serious. Remember last time?".


    I rolled my eyes, "I get it, jeez."


    When I was three, I started having intense nightmares. The doctors called them night terrors. Sometimes I''d sleepwalk - once, I ended up in the neighbour''s yard, another time, at the library. Dad was always the one who calmed me down. Mom, though... patience wasn''t her thing.


    The night terrors didn''t stop as I got older. In fact, they morphed into vivid, waking hallucinations. The diagnosis: a mild case of schizophrenia. The treatment: stronger meds, worse side effects, and mounting anxiety.


    Kai was my only lifeline. School was a nightmare too, thanks to my nickname - Loony Lorelai. I pretended not to care; Luna Lovegood was my favourite character, after all.


    When Kai''s boss relocated him to Beacon Hills, I saw my chance to escape. Mom didn''t want him to leave, but when he said I''d be going with him, she didn''t even argue.


    "Get some sleep, okay?", Kai said, his tone gentle.


    I nodded as he handed me a glass of water and left, closing the door quietly behind him. I changed into my pyjamas and stared at the bottle of blue pills on my nightstand. One skipped dose wouldn''t hurt, right? After two years of religiously taking them, I deserved a break. I tucked the bottle away, convinced tomorrow would be fine without them.


    ∞∞∞


    "You have to help them!".


    "They need you!".


    "He''s here!".


    "RUN!".


    Gasping for air, I jolted awake, heart pounding as the voices dissolved into the night. It had been a while since my last intense episode. Sitting up, I shivered as a cold breeze carried the scent of wet grass.


    Blinking, I realized I wasn''t in my bed. Instead, I found myself surrounded by the towering trees of the Beacon Hills Preserve. I must have sleepwalked here. Barefoot and freezing, I stumbled upright, feeling a mix of dizziness and dread.


    No shoes. No phone. No way to get home before dawn. Panic clawed at me as I scanned the shadowy forest for a road or landmark. The wind picked up, urging me forward. I started to jog, the looming shadows taking monstrous shapes in my mind. My pulse quickened until I broke into a run.


    Distracted, I didn''t see the protruding root until it was too late. I tripped, crashing hard into a ditch. Pain shot through my hands and knees, but worse was the chill that ran down my spine when I realized I wasn''t alone.


    A girl lay motionless, her glossy eyes wide open, her mouth frozen in a silent scream.


    "What the f-".


    My breath caught in my throat. Whether it was real or another hallucination, I couldn''t tell. I scrambled back, pushing myself off the soil and bolting away. My heart raced as I fled blindly through the forest, not even noticing the figure I slammed into.


    "Oh my god! I think you broke my chest bone!", a male voice wheezed.


    Staggering backward, I felt another hand grip my arm. I shoved it away with a burst of adrenaline.


    "Hey, it''s okay! We''re not going to hurt you!", said another male voice, calm and reassuring.


    Finally, I looked up. Two boys stood before me, both around my age. One had shaggy brown hair and a crooked jaw. The other was pale, with a buzz cut and a wary expression.


    "Hello?", the pale one said, waving a hand in front of my face.


    "What are you doing in the woods? At this hour? Did you see anything? Anyone?".


    "Stiles!" the other boy snapped.


    Their behavior screamed suspicion, but I was too shaken to care. I just wanted to go home - away from the dead girl and whatever else lurked in the shadows.


    "I''m sorry about him. I''m Scott.", the shaggy-haired boy said, offering his hand.


    Reluctantly, I took it, "Lorelai. I, uh, went for a late-night walk and got lost.".


    "Without shoes? In Batman pajamas?", Stiles asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Last-minute decision.", I muttered, brushing dirt off my legs.


    Before Stiles could press further, barking dogs and flashlight beams lit up the forest. Without a word, Stiles bolted.


    "Wait up! Stiles!", Scott called, motioning for me to follow.


    We ran after him, but Stiles soon got cornered by a large dog. Scott pulled me behind a tree, signaling me to stay quiet.


    "This little delinquent belongs to me!", a man''s voice boomed.


    Scott and I stayed hidden until the conversation faded. When it was safe, he emerged and helped me up.


    "Come on, I''ll help you get home.", he said.


    Though every warning about stranger danger echoed in my mind, something about Scott''s demeanor felt trustworthy.


    "So, you''re new around here?", he asked as we trekked through the woods.


    "Yeah, my brother''s work required us to move.".


    "What does he do?"


    "Not entirely sure. Security, maybe? Could be lying.", I said with a shrug.


    Scott chuckled but didn''t press further. Despite the night''s chaos, I felt a sliver of comfort having made my first connection in Beacon Hills. But a nagging voice in my head wondered how long it would last.


    We walked in comfortable silence until Scott paused, pulling out an inhaler. He stared into the dark ahead, his body tense.


    "What is it?" I asked, my voice, barely a whisper.


    "Not sure... Something''s out there.".


    The trees swayed, and suddenly, a herd of deer stampeded toward us, their eyes wild with fear.


    "Run!", Scott shouted, grabbing my arm.


    We tried to dodge the rushing animals but fell hard. My head slammed against a rock, and warmth trickled down my temple. Dazed, I pushed myself into a sitting position, blood dripping onto my pajama top.


    "Lorelai, are you okay?", Scott asked, crawling toward me.


    "I think so... You?".


    He nodded but looked alarmed as he examined my injury, "You need a hospital.".


    Before I could respond, a low growl made us both freeze. An enormous animal - too large for a fox, too muscular for a coyote - emerged from the shadows, its red eyes glowing.


    "Scott...", I whispered, my throat tightening.


    He turned slowly, his face pale. The beast snarled, its fangs bared. Without warning, it lunged. I shoved Scott aside as the creature''s eyes locked onto mine. For a moment, it hesitated, sniffing the air. Then, hearing Scott''s shout from behind, it whipped around and charged after him.


    Heart hammering, I prayed Scott could outrun it. If he didn''t, at least he''d be able to tell someone where to find me. Then my mind circled back to the dead girl. Who would find her?


    I tried to stand, but dizziness overwhelmed me. My vision blurred, and my body felt heavy. Just before I lost consciousness, I heard a voice - soft, panicked, and vaguely familiar.


    "Oh god... You''re not supposed to be here...".


    And then, darkness.


    ∞∞∞


    "Ow..."


    I woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache and an aching body. I was back in my bed, my fingers tightly gripping the small pouch Aunt Amelia had given me before we left San Francisco. It contained lavender, chamomile, and sage leaves, and she had specifically instructed me to place it beneath my pillow to help me sleep.


    Swinging my feet to the floor, I blinked through the fog clouding my brain, trying to piece together the events of last night. That''s when my gaze landed on my torn, blood-stained clothing, still clinging to me like a second skin.


    The memories came crashing down, and my stomach churned violently. I barely made it to the bathroom before I was heaving, emptying the contents of the past two days.


    After splashing cold water on my face, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror. My pale olive skin looked almost ghostly, and the angry, bloody bruise on the right side of my temple stood out like a sore thumb.


    My stomach twisted again, and I leaned over the toilet, retching once more. The sound of hurried footsteps followed by banging on the bathroom door pulled me from my haze.


    "Lor... Are you alright?", Kai''s concerned voice came through the wood.


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    "Yeah...", I croaked, wiping my mouth.


    I jumped into the shower, scrubbing my skin raw as I tried to make sense of the fragments in my head. How had I gotten home? Who brought me back? And Scott - was he okay?


    The questions gnawed at me as I pulled on a plain dark blue T-shirt, black jeans, and a black cardigan, finishing with white sneakers. I wasn''t one for flashy outfits - comfort was key. Carefully, I let my hair fall over the bruised side of my face before slipping on a baseball cap, hoping to hide the evidence of last night.


    "That''s an interesting choice of clothing...", Kai quipped before raising his cup of coffee to his mouth.


    "Bite me.", I rolled my eyes, instantly regretting my choice of words.


    Grabbing my lunch box off the table, I stuffed it into my bag. Kai gulped down the last of his drink and placed the cup in the sink. His sandy blonde hair, deep blue eyes, and sharp jawline were mirror images of Mom. I, on the other hand, took after Dad - dark brown hair, green eyes, and a perpetual geek vibe.


    He held out a slice of toast, but I shook my head.


    "I don''t think I''ll be able to keep anything down right now...".


    He gave me an understanding look, then motioned for us to head out. We drove to school in silence, my thoughts a whirlwind, but judging by Kai''s clenched jaw, I wasn''t the only one nervous about our first day.


    When he pulled into the parking lot, he turned to me, "3 p.m. hospital appointment - don''t be late.".


    I grunted as I stepped out of the car.


    "Wait, Lory. Look at me.".


    I froze under his scrutinizing gaze as he frowned, clearly noticing my pale complexion. I quickly looked down, but it was too late.


    "Hey, what happened to your head?".


    "I slipped in the shower...".


    "Lorelai... Don''t lie.".


    "Kai...", I sighed, exasperated.


    He let out a frustrated breath, clearly catching on that I''d skipped my dose but choosing not to press the issue.


    "I had them send over your class schedule and locker information.".


    He handed me a folder, "I''ll see you later.".


    Offering him a weak smile, I watched as he drove off. My legs felt like lead as I walked toward the school entrance. Just as I prepared to brace for hell, I spotted two familiar faces. Relief washed over me - Scott was alive.


    "Hey, Lydia! You look—like you''re gonna ignore me... You''re the cause of this, you know. Dragging me down to your nerd depths. I''m a nerd by association. I''ve been Scarlet-nerded by you!", Stiles grumbled, watching a red-haired girl saunter past.


    "That was sad to watch," I said, approaching them.


    "Lorelai, good to see you in something other than pyjamas. What the hell happened to your face?", Stiles blurted, pointing.


    "Nothing. I must''ve hit my head on a tree or something last night...".


    "Hey, uh, we need to talk.", Scott''s voice was serious, his eyes lingering on my bruise.


    Stiles, meanwhile, had grabbed the folder from my hands and was mumbling about our shared classes as Scott and I walked down the hall.


    "I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think it was a wolf... It bit me.", Scott said softly, his expression uncertain.


    "What?!?".


    "For the hundredth time, Scott, it can''t be a wolf - there are no wolves in California! It''s so unfair that you both saw the body and I didn''t!", Stiles cut in before I could respond.


    They led me to the back of the classroom. Scott sat in front of me, leaving a space between us, while Stiles settled beside me.


    "As you all know, there was a body found in the woods last night...", Mr. Curtis began, writing "Kafka''sMetamorphosis" on the board.


    I shivered as the image of the dead girl resurfaced.


    "And I''m sure your eager little minds are coming up with macabre scenarios as to what happened. But the police have a suspect in custody,", Mr. Curtis continued, "which means you can focus on the syllabus on your desks.".


    I twirled my pen absently, glancing at Scott, who couldn''t seem to sit still. Just as I started to wonder if he had ADHD, the vice principal entered, followed by a raven-haired girl.


    "Class, this is our new student, Allison Argent...", his gaze briefly flicked to me.


    "And I see our other new student, Lorelai Carlyle, has settled in. Please make them feel welcome.".


    Allison smiled nervously before taking the seat in front of me. As Mr. Curtis droned on, my concentration slipped. There was something familiar about Allison, but I couldn''t place it.


    Then, a piercing ringing erupted in my ears. It grew louder and louder until I couldn''t take it anymore.


    "Miss Carlyle, is there a problem?".


    "Uh... woman thing.", I stammered, trembling.


    Mr. Curtis flushed and waved me off. Grabbing my stuff, I bolted to the nearest girls'' bathroom.


    The air felt thick, the ringing unbearable. I splashed cold water on my face, but a soft whisper cut through the noise.


    "You have to help them...".


    I whipped around, searching for the source, but when I looked back at the mirror, my reflection was gone. Instead, I saw the dead girl''s face. I stumbled back, heart pounding, until I tripped and fell into a stall, narrowly missing the toilet.


    Breathing hard, I scrambled to my feet and fled the bathroom.It''s just a side effect from skipping my meds,I told myself.It''s happened before... Nothing new.


    I got to my locker, haplessly battling with the latch and I groaned in frustration.


    "Here...".


    It was Allison, smiling kindly as she wiggled the lock before it finally opened, "You have to be gentle with it. Mine''s the same. Lorelai, right?".


    "Y-yeah...", I said breathlessly, still riled up from the bathroom incident.


    "Your brother worked with my dad before. He mentioned that you were also relocating here... Are you okay?", she pointed out my trembling hands.


    "Oh uh, new girl nerves- they make you go a little crazy.".


    "I totally get it! I forgot a pen! A freaking pen! Who forgets something like that on their first day of school?!?", she laughed.


    I started to relax a little when we were joined by the same redhaired girl who ignored Stiles earlier that morning.


    "That jacket is absolutely killer. Where''d you get it?", she asked Allison before eying me up and down and letting out a pitiful short hum.


    "My mom was a buyer for a boutique back in San Francisco.", Allison answered her with uncertainty.


    "And you are my new best friend.".


    Allison looked to me for help, but I was shoved out of the way by a guy who resembled a real-life Ken doll. I gave Allison an apologetic smile and scurried off as fast as I could, keeping my head down the whole way.


    I needed a safe space, to breathe and calm down – the library. My hands trembled as I fished the pill bottle out of my backpack. More than anything, I just wanted the noise in my head to stop.


    ∞∞∞


    Scott and Stiles walked me to the car. Since I couldn''t join them on their hunt for Scott''s lost inhaler, we agreed to catch up in the evening.


    "I see you''ve made some friends already," Kai observed as I climbed into the car.


    "Uh, yeah... Speaking of which, why didn''t you tell me your boss''s daughter was moving here too? We''re locker buddies.".


    "I must''ve forgotten. Don''t forget to tell the nurse you skipped your pills last night.".


    "When are you gonna let that go? It only happened twice!".


    "Lorelai, please, what if I''m not around this time to save you? I can''t risk it!".


    "Jesus, Kai. You''re overreacting.".


    "Overreacting?!? You could''ve died! I can''t believe you''re being so selfish!".


    His words hit me like a punch to the gut. He''d never understand - nobody could unless they''d been through it. Kai pulled into the hospital parking lot, switching off the engine. He was about to get out, but I stopped him, grabbing my bag.


    "Lor, I-".


    "No. It''s fine. I''ll find my own way home.".


    I brushed away the tears and slammed the door behind me, heading quickly toward the entrance. It wasn''t my fault I was like this. I didn''t choose it. But maybe he was right - what if the animal had decided I was gonna be its meal, or the person who brought me home hadn''t been there?


    Swallowing the lump in my throat, I greeted the friendly receptionist, who told me a nurse would be with me shortly. I took a seat, nervously bouncing my leg.


    "Lorelai Carlyle?".


    The nurse''s warm brown eyes and kind smile instantly put me at ease. She gestured for me to follow her and motioned for me to sit on the hospital bed.


    "You''re on a 5mm dose of antipsychotics, along with a benzodiazepine and fluoxetine, correct? What time did you take your last dose?", she asked, pulling the curtain closed and scanning my file.


    "This morning, around 10 a.m., I think.".


    My eyes drifted to her name badge.


    "Melissa McCall. You''re Scott''s mom?", I asked, my voice trembling slightly.


    She looked up, noticing my unease along with something else.


    "Hon, don''t worry. Patient confidentiality... And judging by the way your body has not stopped shivering, you missed a dose. And what happened here?".


    She gently removed my cap and brushed my hair away from my face.


    "I slipped and hit my head.", I lied.


    "It''s a little inflamed, but nothing to worry about," she said, pressing lightly around the area.


    "No one hit me, if that''s what you''re wondering.", I looked away, ashamed.


    Melissa sighed, jotting down some notes before closing the file.


    "Lorelai, I know it''s hard, but you have to stay consistent. You don''t want to end up at Eichen House. Trust me. Now be a good kid and take your meds.", she gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze.


    I mumbled a quick thanks and hurried out. Standing outside, I realized I had no idea how to get home. I pulled out my phone, debating whether to call Kai, when a text message caught my attention.


    Hi,


    Before you ask, I can''t tell you how I got your number, but it''s important. Call me as soon as you can!


    – Stiles


    Grateful for his persistence, I dialled his number. He picked up on the second ring.


    "Lorelai! Thank god-".


    "Stiles, I need your help," I interrupted.


    It didn''t take him long to reach the hospital.


    "Everything okay?" he asked as I hopped into his jeep.


    "Uh, yeah. Monthly check-up.".


    "Huh... I''ll be honest with you - I know all about your... psychosis. But we don''t have to talk about it if you don''t want to. And before you ask how I know, I looked you up in my dad''s office database, which I know is an invasion of privacy, but it was the only way to get your number.".


    I stared at him, amazed at how he managed to say all that in one breath.


    "Okay, I''m gonna totally ignore the whole background check stuff, what was so important?".


    "We found Scott''s inhaler!".


    "And?".


    "Oh, right. Have you been experiencing any weird symptoms since last night?".


    "What?".


    "Heightened hearing and sense of smell, faster reflexes, that-that sort of thing...", he frowned.


    "And now that I''ve said it out loud, sounds crazy right?".


    "I''m probably the last person you should be talking to about this.", I held up my meds packet.


    "Hmm."


    I told him the name of my street, and he knew exactly where it was.


    "It''s that brick house over there."


    "Only two streets away from me," he commented.


    As I jumped out, he called after me, "Did you see anything last night? In the woods?".


    I hesitated. I could only remember the dead body and the animal''s glowing red eyes, but I decided to keep that to myself.


    "Nothing you don''t already know. Thanks for the ride, Stiles.".


    I waved goodbye, watching his egg-blue jeep drive off. As odd as he was, I couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to him than he let on.


    ∞∞∞


    The next day passed uneventfully - well, almost. I took my meds, which left me feeling awful, but at least the voices and ghosts stayed at bay. I spent most of my time avoiding everyone, and it worked - until a very frantic Stiles showed up at my doorstep around eight o''clock that night.


    "Werewolves!", he blurted out as he stepped inside.


    "Come again?".


    "The animal that attacked you in the woods? It was a freaken wolf!", he yelled.


    Thankfully Kai was working the night shift, otherwise he would''ve probably gotten us both committed into Eichen House.


    "You weren''t bitten by it, which is why you didn''t get the same symptoms as Scott! Oh, man, you should''ve seen him today, at lacrosse!".


    He started to mutter to himself underneath his breath.


    "Stiles!".


    "Sorry! I''ve had a lot of Adderall today. I didn''t know who else to tell. Well, I did tell Scott, but he didn''t believe me, obviously, I mean who would? And now with full moon, he''s taking Allison to Lydia''s party, and he just might... He might...".


    Stiles started to pace around the living room frantically, and I stood up, grabbing him by the shoulders, getting him to stop.


    "Hey! Calm down, it''s going to be fine!".


    He looked at me, his light brown eyes filled with fear, and helplessness. I wasn''t quite buying his werewolf story, but the least I could do was help him.


    "I... I believe you.", I whispered.


    "So, let''s go and find Scott, and Allison, and make sure they''re okay.".


    Stiles nodded, pulling me along with him towards the door, not giving me a chance to change out of my leggings and oversized beige sweatshirt.


    By the time we reached Lydia''s house, the party was in full swing. Cars lined the streets, and the music thumped loud enough to rattle the jeep''s windows. Somehow, Stiles managed to wedge his rusty old jeep into a spot, and we hurried toward the house.


    "You look out for Scott, I''ll get Allison.".


    I pushed past a few drunk classmates, spotting Allison from across the room. Before I could reach her, a wave of dizziness hit me. I stumbled backward, my vision swimming, and nearly hit the floor - until someone caught me.


    "You''re very underdressed for a party.", a deep voice remarked.


    It wasn''t the comment or the chiselled face that caught my attention, but the hazel eyes staring into mine with an unsettling intensity. He released his hands from my waist, his eyebrows furrowed, studying my face.


    "Lorelai! We gotta go! I just saw him leave!".


    My head whipped towards Stiles'' direction and when I looked back, the stranger was gone. I ran after Stiles who was already inside his jeep with the engine running.


    "Damn it! Stiles! Are you trying to kill me?", I snapped as he tore out of the driveway before I could even buckle my seatbelt.


    He shot me a look, still driving like a maniac. I was about to yell at him again when the high-pitched ring exploded in my ears.


    "No... Not again! Stop the car!!!", I yelled as I hit his arm in urgency.


    Wide eyed and annoyed at my violence, Stiles slammed the breaks, stopping in the middle of the road.


    "What the hell!?!".


    "I can''t explain it, but... I think... I think Scott might be in the woods. Check his house in case I''m wrong!".


    I jumped out before he could argue, running into the preserve as if drawn by an invisible force. The ringing grew louder with every step, guiding me deeper into the forest.


    In the distance, I heard shouting and a cry of pain. My instincts screamed at me to run toward it, but before I could, someone grabbed me from behind, a hand clamping over my mouth.


    I reacted instinctively, elbowing them hard in the ribs and spinning around to strike again. They caught my fist mid-swing.


    "Shut up or they''ll kill us both. And Scott!".


    It was the man from the party. He released my hand but kept a firm grip on my arm as the sounds of chaos echoed through the trees.


    "There are three ruthless hunters out there ready to shoot on sight. Just stay here.", he warned before racing off.


    The full moon hung overhead, bathing the forest in an eerie glow. The ringing in my head intensified until I dropped to my knees, clutching my ears.


    "You have to help them!!!", the dead girl''s voice pierced through the noise.


    I shut my eyes, trying to block out everything, but it was no use.


    "Lorelai! Are you okay?".


    Scott''s hand on my shoulder snapped me back to reality. I gasped, looking up to see his glowing golden eyes staring back at me.


    The ringing stopped abruptly, leaving behind an eerie silence. Without thinking, I threw my arms around him, holding on tightly. He returned the hug, relief evident in his trembling embrace.


    "Who were they?", Scott asked the stranger as we broke away from our embrace.


    "Hunters. The kind that have been hunting us for centuries.", he answered apathetically.


    Scott shouted out in frustration, "Us? You mean you! You did this to me!".


    "Is it really so bad, Scott? That you can see better? Hear more clearly? Move faster than any human could ever hope? You''ve been given something that most people would kill for. The Bite is a gift.".


    "I don''t want it.".


    "You will. And you''re gonna need me if you want to learn how to control it. So, you and me, Scott? We''re brothers now...".


    Still trying to come to terms with the whole ''werewolves are real'', the stranger turned his attention towards me, anger and resentment palpable on his face.


    "You can''t be friends with her anymore, Scott. Her brother was one of the hunters who tried to kill us.".